Wike, Sanchez sign agreement for upgrade of Rivers’ Real Madrid academy 

Wike, Sanchez sign agreement for upgrade of Rivers’ Real Madrid academy 

Monday, October 28, 2019 6:34 pm


Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (r) and the Executive Vice President of Real Madrid Football Club Foundation , Enrique Sanchez on Monday at the Presidency Reception Centre of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid after the signing of ratification agreement on the partnership for Real Madrid Academy, Port Harcourt.

Rivers State Government and Real Madrid Football Club have signed a ratification agreement for the development of Real Madrid Academy, Port Harcourt into an international football academy. 

The agreement signing ceremony  took place on Monday at the Presidency Reception Centre of Santiago Bernabeu Stadium,  home of Real Madrid Football Club.

The signature of the ratification Protocol was executed by the Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Wike, and the Executive Vice President of Real Madrid Football Club Foundation,  Enrique Sanchez.

In an address he delivered at the occasion, Wike said Rivers State is preparing the Real Madrid Academy as a veritable pathway for the empowerment of Rivers Children.

He said: “We are preparing the Real Madrid Academy as a veritable pathway for our young stars to be international football talents and for them to realise their dreams.

“We will offer them exposure,  nurturing opportunities and mentorship by world renowned professionals at the Real Madrid Academy “.

He informed the Real Madrid Football Club management that the Rivers State Government has already exhibited seriousness by developing the needed infrastructure at the Real Madrid Academy in Port Harcourt.

He said that in establishing the Real Madrid Academy,  the Rivers State Government took into consideration the culture and  reality of the state.

“Taking the interest of our youths, the Real Madrid Academy is designed for culture and holistic programmes with a comprehensive package for the acquisition of high level knowledge in a comfortable and inspiring environment “, he said.

He added that the Real Madrid Academy will also serve as an avenue to grow the economy of Rivers State,  which is the second largest in the country. Governor Wike urged officials of Real Madrid Football Club to serve as ambassadors  of Rivers State to the rest of  Europe.

Executive Vice President of Real Madrid Football Club Foundation ,  Enrique Sanchez commended the Rivers State Government for its commitment to using football as a tool to empower youths.

He assured the Rivers State Government that the Real Madrid Foundation will continue to partner with it for the training and exposure of Rivers Children .

Sanchez said that the partnership with the Rivers State Government will be expanded  to include  local schools in Rivers State.

The Director of Institutional Relations in Real Madrid Football Club,  Mr Emilio Butragueno said that Real Madrid appreciates any authority that promotes the wellbeing of children irrespective of their background.

He thanked Governor Wike for the initiative of using football as a platform to reach out to different categories of Rivers children.

Earlier,  Director of Institutional Relations in Real Madrid Football Club,  Mr Emilio Butragueno took Governor Wike and his entourage on a tour of facilities at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (r) and the Executive Vice President of Real Madrid Football Club Foundation , Enrique Sanchez on Monday at the Presidency Reception Centre of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid after the signing of ratification agreement on the partnership for Real Madrid Academy, Port Harcourt.

Area Manager of Real Madrid Foundation for Africa and Middle East, Mr Inigo Vallejo coordinated the signature event witnessed by official of Interact Sports led by their Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jihad Saade.

On 21st September,  2019, the Rivers State Government unveiled the splendid Real Madrid Football Academy constructed to promote professional football.

Wike was accompanied to the event by Rivers State PDP Chairman,  Bro Felix Obuah, Senator Representing Rivers South-east,  Senator Barry Mpigi,  Deputy Speaker,  Rivers State House of Assembly,  Rt Hon. Ehie Edison, Former Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt Hon  Austin  Opara,  Senator Olaka Nwogu,  Senator Sam Anyanwu, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa,  Former Commissioner of Sports,  Boma Iyaye, Former Rivers Lawmaker,  Felix Nwaeke and   Former Commissioner,  Marcus Nlenji

 Photo Captions

Pictures: Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (r) and the Executive Vice President of Real Madrid Football Club Foundation ,  Enrique Sanchez on Monday at the Presidency Reception Centre of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid  after the signing of ratification agreement on the partnership for Real Madrid Academy,  Port Harcourt.


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One Comment

  • chi dan says:

    governor of a state ooooh chai may god save us from mediocrity

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